Swarm List for HWBKA Members

The Swarm List is exactly that, a register of HWBKA Members interested in having / collecting a swarm in their area by being added to the list.
It is maintained by our

Swarm List Coordinators for the High Weald Beekeepers' area:
Peter Halford : 01435 882683 / 07729 234 089
(covering the northern part of the High Weald including Crowborough and Wadhurst areas)
Jennifer Moore : 01323 842253 / 07803 744 368
(covering the southern part of the High Weald including Uckfield and Heathfield areas)

Please note that this service is only available to fully paid-up members of the HWBKA.

How it will work -

At regular times during the swarming season all HWBKA members will be emailed, asking to confirm their interest in being on the next iteration of the Swarm List by entering their details into the form on this page.
Details submitted via the form are automatically added to a spreadsheet and are validated against the current membership list before being used by the Swarm List Coordinators to manage the process.
The swarm list will be reviewed at or near the end of March, April, May and June and used for the following month (or until the end of the swarming season in the case of the June list).

When a swarm has been reported by a member of the public to one of the Swarm List Coordinators, they in turn will send a text message to members near the swarm's location.
If you receive such a text and you want the swarm, you must contact the Swarm List Coordinator a.s.a.p., who will deal with it on a first come / first served basis, but with priority being given to members who have not already collected a swarm.
Speed is of the essence! as swarms can decamp at any moment...... many beekeepers have missed swarms by minutes sometimes!
The Swarm List Coordinator will liaise with the person who has reported the swarm and inform them that they will be contacted a.s.a.p. by a local beekeeper to assess the situation.

If you are that local Beekeeper and after having spoken with the person reporting the swarm agree to collect it, you will obviously need to go armed and have something to collect the swarm in, such as a skep or even a cardboard box and of course a spare hive ready to house your new colony when you get them 'home'. Be aware of the dangers of swarms overheating or even suffocating during transportation.

It is most important to let the Swarm List Coordinator know the outcome and if you have picked up a swarm so they can update the Swarm List records - Don't forget!

So, if you want to be on the Swarm List, then when next prompted by email please complete the form below and hit SUBMIT.